Published: Wednesday, 23rd April, 2008 09:00
Home's best for Hawick seven at Mansfield
By Atholl Innes at Mansfield Park
Comments (0)
Print Article
Hawick celebrate winning their own sevens.
Pic by: Ally Learmonth, Hawick
HAWICK have an eye on Selkirk’s Kings of the Sevens title after beating the Philiphaugh to win their own tournament for the 42nd time on Saturday.
The clubs met in the final of the Hawick Sevens for the first time since 1991 – and the hosts gained revenge for defeat 17 years ago with a comprehensive 31-7 win in the final.
At a sun-drenched Mansfield Park following a bitterly cold afternoon, Hawick carried too much power and pace as Selkirk felt the effects of a pulsating semi-final win over the KooGa Wailers, the holders.
That, plus an injury to Fraser Harkness, compounded Selkirk’s problems as the race for the title heats up.
After a spell of Selkirk pressure, Rory Hutton broke away for the opening try and John Coutts scored a second before half-time.
An Eddie Gauche try on the interval gave Selkirk a lifeline, but second-half tries from Coutts, Greg Goodfellow and Colin Murray wrapped it up for the hosts.
Selkirk never gave in and were praised by Hawick president Terence Froud for their efforts. “You did well, boys and that is what Borders rugby is all about,” he said.
And Selkirk president George Thomson added: “That semi-final was tough and after that, the final was a game too far.”
It was third time lucky for Hawick after losing in the last two finals to the Falcons, who were only a shadow of previous years and were lucky to get past Biggar, now renown for their sevens expertise.
Hutton was the Hawick playmaker and controlled his side’s play, which enabled Coutts to run in six tries in the tournament.
Hawick’s Ryan Hogg was named as the Player of the Tournament – and his driving play and running into open spaces was the catalyst on which much of the hosts’ play was based.
Hawick marched comfortably into the final with easy wins over Langholm and Gala before knocking out Peebles in a tougher semi-final.
An early score from Michael Robertson set the tone and Coutts added a second before Dale Clancy cut the deficit on half-time.
Peebles battled hard until Coutts added a late score to clinch a final place.
Selkirk had earlier ousted the holders, the Wailers, formerly Newcastle Falcons, in a strength-sapping semi-final in which Fraser Harkness was a key player with a try and two crucial tackles.
Scott Hendrie scored the crucial winning try and added the conversion.
That followed earlier wins over Watsonians, who were understrength due to the national cup semi-final, and Stirling County.
Melrose and Jed-Forest also sent second squads and failed to make any impression against Stirling and Gala.
Gala were no match for Hawick and Shaun Law could not get near his three tries in their opening tie against Melrose.
Fraser Thomson was the sole scorer in round two.
Peebles easily beat Berwick in the first round with tries from Neil Howarth (2), Adam Moffat and Donald Anderson.
Peebles did well to edge out Kelso before falling to Chadwick.
And Biggar knocked out an almost unrecognisable Boroughmuir and almost shocked the Wailers with tries from Chris McKeand and David Reive.
Selkirk’s ensured that they stayed top of the Kings of the Sevens table while Hawick moved into second place.
First round
Watsonians 14, Selkirk 21; Stirling County 36, Jed-Forest 0; President’s 7 0, KooGa Wailers 36; Boroughmuir 0, Biggar 31; Melrose 12, Gala 32; Langholm 7, Hawick 35; Kelso 19, Edinburgh Accies 17; Peebles 24, Berwick 7.
Second round
Selkirk 19, Stirling 12; Wailers 17, Biggar 14; Gala 7, Hawick 35; Kelso 14, Peebles 17.
Semi-finals
Selkirk 21, Wailers 19; Hawick 21, Peebles 5.
Final
Selkirk 7, Hawick 31.
Selkirk: N. Darling, E. Gauche, R. Aglen, F. Harkness, G. Craig, D. Cassidy, S. Hendrie, R. Crockatt, R. Nixon, J. Hendrie.
Hawick: S. Anderson, J. Coutts, R. Hutton, G. Goodfellow, M. Robertson, Z. Bruce, R. Hogg, K. Davies, C. Murray, N. Renwick.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Further Details
Fairydean fancy for Leeds